The two Masters riders, one aged 48 years, have been found guilty of doping in the same race; the Vuelta a Miami.
Two veteran cyclists have been caught doping in the same race in the US. Both riders were caught in the veterans’ race at Vuelta a Miami, which is for cyclists aged 41 years and older.
There were prizes for the top 10 in the race; from $450 for the winner down to $50 for 10th. Unfortunately, despite doping, neither rider managed to claim a prize.
Mijail Gonzalez, a 44-year-old from of Hialeah, Florida, has been banned for four years. His urine sample at the race on July 28th last was found to contain dexamethasone.
The substance is a corticosteroid “in the class of Glucocorticoids” and its most common medicinal use is as an anti inflammatory.
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It has also been used by endurance athletes to combat the side effects of racing at high altitudes.
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However, the race in Miami that Gonzalez was competing in was flat and held at sea level. He finished 11th, narrowly denied the $50 10th prize.
In its ruling on Mijail Gonzalez, US Anti Doping Agency said of Glucocorticoids: “Glucocorticoids can directly enhance performance by affecting energy, vascular and metabolic systems, as well as having pronounced neurophysiological and psychological benefits.
“Abuse of glucocorticoids can be dangerous to an athlete’s health, potentially causing both transient and chronic negative health effects, including immunosuppression, endocrine disorders and hypertension.”
The second cyclist banned following analysis of samples taken after the same race was a 48-year-old Raul Diaz from Miami. He returned a positive sample for EPO.
Results from the race show him listed last in the results. His urine sample was found to contain “dexamethasone and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO)”.
The ruling on his case said: “When confronted with his positive test Diaz admitted using dexamethasone via a non-permitted route and EPO.
“Both glucocorticoids and peptide hormones, growth factors and blood-boosting substances, such as EPO, have powerful performance-enhancing benefits.
"And (the substances) have been demonstrated to give athletes an unfair advantage over fellow competitors.”
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